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Thinking about buying an Eluder GT

1295 Views 42 Replies 8 Participants Last post by richard75013, 11 d ago

tpoppa

Discussion Starter · 1 mo ago (Edited)

I've ridden for many years and have owned all different types of motorcycles.

I'm going to look at an Eluder GT this week as possible replacement for a Kawasaki Nomad 1700 (for sale, btw).
The Eluder seems to check all the right boxes for what I'm looking for. Is there anything I should know about them first?

Any common failures or weird characteristics?
Any "required" modifications like ECM flashes, exhaust, etc?
Are parts/accessories readily available from Yamaha...heel shifter for example?
Is there any reason it wouldn't go 100k if properly maintained?

Thanks for any insight on the Eluder.

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GARider

· #2 · 1 mo ago

@tpoppa I will let others chime in here about the Eluder. I am an SVTC owner and had not so good experience with the bike however all has been fixed or replace under warranty.
Anyway I haven’t heard much about Eluder engine issues Except for one person on this forum and I think headed back from Sturgis he had the inevitable cam issue.
For accessories, I believe there are issues getting the backrest and hardware as well as the front wind deflectors upper and lowers. I believe the GT has the upper.
Parts are still available.
There are many talks in the Venture/Eluder section on this forum about the Eluder and parts and accessories for the Eluder.
There are many on the forums that own the Eluder so I hope they respond.
Many folks have done the Ivan Flash and Tab exhaust and some have done the commander upgrade. I have looked into each of these but haven’t committed yet.
Here is the link to Ivan’s

https://www.ivansperformanceproducts.com/

Also you can reach out to Al Dec on YouTube he just had the Ivan done and Tab exhaust a year or so ago.
I have asked him a few questions and he responded quickly.

https://m.youtube.com/@aldec2585

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tpoppa

Discussion Starter · #3 · 1 mo ago

The Eluder is on my short list. I am looking for something I'll still be riding in 10 years.

I am familiar with Ivan. He flashed the ECM on my Nomad 1700. His tunes are well sorted, and make a nice improvement over stock.

I was not aware of the cam issue. I'll look into it, thanks.

Reactions: 1

Brad_G

· #4 · 1 mo ago

I'm not an Eluder owner so don't have much new to add. My only concern would be since it's a one model year bike the aftermarket accessories are going to be few and far between. But if you're handy maybe with some adaption other accessories could be made to work. Since it shares some of the same base bike parts with the Venture which has had a few more model years some of the engine/drive-train type parts should be available for a while at least.

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tpoppa

Discussion Starter · #5 · 1 mo ago

I thought the Venture and Eluder were mechanically the same, except for the additional features and items on the Venture...is that not correct?

Regarding the Cam issue: Are certain years or production runs affected, or can all bikes potentially have this issue? Does Yamaha support that even out of warranty, or any talk of a recall?

GARider

· #6 · 1 mo ago

I think the Eluder was only available in 2018 and the issue with the cams was the 2018 model engine that had the issue. The other years for the SVTC don’t seem to have cam issue also note not every 2018 had this issue. It goes something like this. Yamaha manufacturing discovered they had a harding issue on the first 500 bikes before they left the floor and replaced however it gets gray as to how the next 500 got sent out with out some not getting the proper cam replacement and went out to the public so for the SVTC if you have an engine number under 1,000 beware. As for the Eluder I am not sure. You would need to search this forum and find the member that had the Eluder issue in Sturgis and see what engine number he posted. If I find it I will post the link here.
As for the same mechanically, not really. The big difference is that the SVTC has an electric motor for reverse and forward..
We did hear from one forum member that when he had the same output shaft bearing issue I had they replaced his whole motor with an Eluder motor. So based on that apparently the engine is swappable.
Good luck. It is a good looking bike and has great torque.
Folks are still paying good money for these bikes and their parts.
Some have sold with known issues for good money and on the internet there are just the motor for sale, not in the best shape, that people are paying 3k to 6k.
Again good luck and I hope you find a solid one and if you are able to wrench on it yourself you have a great bike.
Last thing, I wouldn’t count on Yamaha to honor the motor if there is an issue out of warranty.
But it seems to be how well your dealer is to their customers and to Yamaha. It also helps if you have a good relationship with the dealer you take it too….
I have had good and bad but now with the bike back in my hands I can say in hindsight Yamaha and my dealer did the best they could.
Some dealers fought for nothing and others the dealer bent over backwards to get them what they wanted.
Again Best of luck

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tpoppa

Discussion Starter · #7 · 1 mo ago (Edited)

GARider said:
I think the Eluder was only available in 2018 and the issue with the cams was the 2018 model engine that had the issue. The other years for the SVTC don’t seem to have cam issue also note not every 2018 had this issue. It goes something like this. Yamaha manufacturing discovered they had a harding issue on the first 500 bikes before they left the floor and replaced however it gets gray as to how the next 500 got sent out with out some not getting the proper cam replacement and went out to the public so for the SVTC if you have an engine number under 1,000 beware. As for the Eluder I am not sure. You would need to search this forum and find the member that had the Eluder issue in Sturgis and see what engine number he posted. If I find it I will post the link here.
As for the same mechanically, not really. The big difference is that the SVTC has an electric motor for reverse and forward..
We did hear from one forum member that when he had the same output shaft bearing issue I had they replaced his whole motor with an Eluder motor. So based on that apparently the engine is swappable.
Good luck. It is a good looking bike and has great torque.
Folks are still paying good money for these bikes and their parts.
Some have sold with known issues for good money and on the internet there are just the motor for sale, not in the best shape, that people are paying 3k to 6k.
Again good luck and I hope you find a solid one and if you are able to wrench on it yourself you have a great bike.
Last thing, I wouldn’t count on Yamaha to honor the motor if there is an issue out of warranty.
But it seems to be how well your dealer is to their customers and to Yamaha. It also helps if you have a good relationship with the dealer you take it too….
I have had good and bad but now with the bike back in my hands I can say in hindsight Yamaha and my dealer did the best they could.
Some dealers fought for nothing and others the dealer bent over backwards to get them what they wanted.
Again Best of luck

Really good information, thanks.

That's rough for owners that have had to deal with an obvious manufacturing defect without Yamaha stepping up

I had a similar situation with a new Buell after HD shuttered them. HD told me to pound sand, so I wound up making them buy it back with a Lemon Law claim.

Anyway, the Eluder is 95% of what I'm looking for, but need to know more about this Cam issue.

I am planning on moving on from my Nomad 1700, but those bikes are dead reliable with just basic maintenance.

Reactions: 1

AlanRides

· #8 · 1 mo ago

GARider said:
...We did hear from one forum member that when he had the same output shaft bearing issue I had they replaced his whole motor with an Eluder motor. So based on that apparently the engine is swappable....

I'm guessing you are referring to ChiefGunner getting a new engine when his output shaft bearing failed (after his cams/pushrods had earlier failed). He told me that he basically fell into a new engine at that time because his dealer had ordered a new engine for an Eluder (I don't know the details behind that Eluder needing a new engine) and got a Venture engine by mistake. So the dealer just so happened to have a new Venture engine laying around when Chief's failed. FWIW, I don't think the Eluder and Venture engines can be swapped one for one because of the parking assist hardware and mounting though.

Apologies if you are talking about a different engine swap.

Other than that detail I agree with your assessments of the bikes' histories.

I have engine # 132 with 51k miles and no cam/pushrod failure (yet, knock on wood), but Yamaha corporate put 6k on it before I owned it, so no telling what was done to it before I got it.

Reactions: 2

tpoppa

Discussion Starter · #9 · 1 mo ago

AlanRides said:
I'm guessing you are referring to ChiefGunner getting a new engine when his output shaft bearing failed (after his cams/pushrods had earlier failed). He told me that he basically fell into a new engine at that time because his dealer had ordered a new engine for an Eluder (I don't know the details behind that Eluder needing a new engine) and got a Venture engine by mistake. So the dealer just so happened to have a new Venture engine laying around when Chief's failed. FWIW, I don't think the Eluder and Venture engines can be swapped one for one because of the parking assist hardware and mounting though.

Apologies if you are talking about a different engine swap.

Other than that detail I agree with your assessments of the bikes' histories.

I have engine # 132 with 51k miles and no cam/pushrod failure (yet, knock on wood), but Yamaha corporate put 6k on it before I owned it, so no telling what was done to it before I got it.

Where is the engine number located? I still plan to look at that Eluder this week.

AlanRides

· #10 · 1 mo ago

top of the left side engine case near the rear cylinder

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AlanRides

· #11 · 1 mo ago

BTW, I put 80k+ miles on a 2007 Nomad before landing on the SVTC in November of 2019 and the SVTC just felt weird for a couple of months due to the much lower seat position and other ergonomic differences. I came close to seeing if I could get my Nomad back because of those differences, but at some point I got used to the SVTC and I love it now. But, I still miss that Nomad sometimes.

If I remember correctly @GARider comes from the Nomad/Voyager world as well.

Reactions: 2

tpoppa

Discussion Starter · #12 · 1 mo ago

AlanRides said:
BTW, I put 80k+ miles on a 2007 Nomad before landing on the SVTC in November of 2019 and the SVTC just felt weird for a couple of months due to the much lower seat position and other ergonomic differences. I came close to seeing if I could get my Nomad back because of those differences, but at some point I got used to the SVTC and I love it now. But, I still miss that Nomad sometimes.

If I remember correctly @GARider comes from the Nomad/Voyager world as well.

My Nomad 1700 does everything "good" except for reliability and ergonomics which are excellent.

That's kind of what drew me to the Eluder...Japanese reliability & capability, but in a more modern package with a few more creature comforts.

Reactions: 2

GARider

· #13 · 1 mo ago

@AlanRides yes that is the member. smh
and yes I came from the Vulcan Voyager.
Nice bike but mine developed the death wobble.

Mike66

· #14 · 1 mo ago

The numbers on mine are P632E-000990 so is my engine number 632 or 990?

AlanRides

· #15 · 1 mo ago

990

tpoppa

Discussion Starter · #16 · 1 mo ago

From what I've read, it seems like the cam/lifter issue has only affected a small number of motorcycles, rather than a widespread issue. Is that true, or did I miss something?

GARider

· #17 · 1 mo ago

@tpoppa for the SVTC any motor under 1000 could be subject to the cam and/or the output shaft bearing issues.
I am not sure about the Eluder motor since I have only heard of one Eluder engine cam failure.
I am not sure if the engine numbers are mixed meaning did Yamaha build the first 250 motors and put them in the SVTC and then build the next 250 motors and put them in Eluders? Not sure. But the post from the Eluder member that had the cam failure could give insight.

richard75013

· #18 · 1 mo ago

I can’t speak for the Eluder but it’s sexy as hell with the top bag off so I’m going to see if I can take mine off and what I can do about the electronics that are mounted behind the rear seat rest. I can say that the bikes are near identical twins for many oem part diagrams I’ve looked at out my if curorisity.

As far as the bike as a whole, fan fn tastic job Yamaha. The only thing they could have done better is to have added the quick disconnect mentioned above for the top bag to get the Eluder look and a small turbo!

I find an excuse to ride mine almost every day somewhere and I can’t speak highly enough about this bike.

Congrats on the Eluder if you get it!

Reactions: 1

tpoppa

Discussion Starter · #19 · 1 mo ago

GARider said:
@tpoppa for the SVTC any motor under 1000 could be subject to the cam and/or the output shaft bearing issues.
I am not sure about the Eluder motor since I have only heard of one Eluder engine cam failure.
I am not sure if the engine numbers are mixed meaning did Yamaha build the first 250 motors and put them in the SVTC and then build the next 250 motors and put them in Eluders? Not sure. But the post from the Eluder member that had the cam failure could give insight.

Thanks for the information. I was not able to locate that post about the Eluder failure.
If anyone could post a link that would be appreciated.

I am still planning on looking at an Eluder this weekend, along with 2 other motorcycles.
On paper the Eluder would be my first choice...but the uncertainty around the cam/lifter issue and Yamaha's handling of it is giving me pause. We'll see. Keeping my 2010 Nomad is still an option, too.

Reactions: 1

Brad_G

· #20 · 1 mo ago

tpoppa said:
Thanks for the information. I was not able to locate that post about the Eluder failure.
If anyone could post a link that would be appreciated.

I am still planning on looking at an Eluder this weekend, along with 2 other motorcycles.
On paper the Eluder would be my first choice...but the uncertainty around the cam/lifter issue and Yamaha's handling of it is giving me pause. We'll see. Keeping my 2010 Nomad is still an option, too.

Here you go.

Broke down in sturgis

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